Lockdown Flock Down

While much of the world has come to an abrupt halt, it doesn’t look like the grey flocks will be self-isolating any time soon – especially not with the fields full of tasty spring drillings

- Andy Crow

The government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has seen a great many recreational shooters staying at home, unable to enjoy our beloved hobby. And although it has been a tad galling watching tribes of MAMILs trooping past in endless mutli-coloured gaggles while being told that we can’t stalk a roe buck or try and winkle out a trout or two on a deserted river bank, we do as we are told in the interests of the many.

Clay grounds are closed and the countryside is quiet. Except, of course, that nature doesn’t pause for anybody or anything. And for many, shooting is not ‘sport’; it is an essential part of our livelihoods. With the pastures full of lambs, fox control is absolutely critical right now. Likewise for farmers drilling spring crops – without vigilance, the season ahead could be a write off. So when Andy is not on the tractor, he is on pigeon patrol.

“The wet autumn and winter put so many farmers behind. Not just a week or two, but months in some cases. So as the weather has improved, everybody has been racing to try and make up for lost time. And of course nobody could predict how long the weather window was going to be so there was definitely a bit of a rush in some areas!”